How to stop Soto? It takes a catch of the year candidate
This browser does not support the video element.
NEW YORK -- As the Reds faced the Yankees in the first inning of their 8-4, sweep-clinching win on Thursday, center fielder Will Benson was willing to give up his body to rob Juan Soto of a hit, possibly a home run.
Soto, the Yankees’ superstar, tattooed a first-pitch fastball from Frankie Montas that traveled to the deepest part of Yankee Stadium with one out in the bottom of the first.
As the ball approached the top of the fence, Benson made the catch just as he slammed hard into the wall. He was able to hold on to the ball as he hit the warning track dirt.
Benson was a little slow getting up but was OK. Montas clapped for the play, as did much of the Reds’ dugout.
“That was sick," Montas said. "That just sent a message that we’ve come here to play. There ain’t going to be no easy hits. We’re going to make them earn their hits. That was definitely kind of huge for me.”
According to Statcast, Soto's drive would have been a home run in 20 of the 30 ballparks in MLB. Alas, Yankee Stadium was not one of them, and Benson made extra sure of it.
In the seventh inning, Soto hit a ball that even Benson couldn't catch, driving one a Statcast-projected 431 feet to center for a two-run homer.